At first glance, Oaklands Mansion in Murfreesboro seems made for an October evening, with its imposing historic rooms and layers of Middle Tennessee history.

This week, the house museum is stepping into the Halloween spotlight with a celebration that mixes old-fashioned atmosphere and a lively masquerade.

On Friday, October 30, from 5 to 9 p.m., Oaklands will host a Halloween Speakeasy and Masquerade Ball at the mansion and nearby Maney Hall.

The event leans into the glamour of the 1920s, encouraging guests to dress in vintage-inspired clothing and masks.

A reserved hour inside the mansion includes live spooky jazz, whiskey tastings, entertainment and other themed experiences.

The celebration continues at Maney Hall with dancing, performances and a festive setting.

Admission is listed at $65 per person, and the event is restricted to guests ages 21 and older.

Mansion entry is offered in timed groups, so an advance reservation matters for anyone hoping to attend.

But there is another reason to know Oaklands, even if Halloween parties are not your thing.

The house tells a complicated story about the Maney family, Murfreesboro's development and the Civil War years.

The original home grew over time into the mansion visitors see today, and its history also includes the enslaved people whose labor helped build and sustain the estate.

Those lives deserve attention alongside the architecture, period furnishings and stories of prominent residents.

Today the property functions as a historic house museum, giving visitors a window into the city's past.

That makes this week's Halloween celebration more than an ordinary costume party: the setting itself has a story to tell.

Readers looking for a quieter visit can consider the mansion's regular historical tours after the festivities have ended.

Located on North Maney Avenue, Oaklands is an easy historical discovery for residents across Rutherford County and the wider 615 region.

The attraction's appeal lies in that combination of preserved place and living community gathering space.

Whether you arrive for the music and masks or return later for the history, Oaklands invites a closer look at Murfreesboro beyond its busiest streets.